Flask: Want to import file of helper functions

Question

I'm writing a porting a basic python script and creating a similarly basic Flask application. I have a file consisting of a bunch of functions that I'd like access to within my Flask application.

Here's what I have so far for my views:

from flask import render_template
from app import app

def getRankingList():
    return 'hey everyone!'


@app.route("/")
@app.route("/index")
def index():
    rankingsList = getRankingsList()
    return render_template('index.html', rankingsList = rankingsList)

if __name__ == '__main__':
    app.run(debug=True)

Ideally, I'd have access to all of the functions from my original script and make use of them within my getRankingsList() function. I've googled around and can't seem to sort out how to do this, however.

Any idea

Answer 1

Simply have another python script file (for example helpers.py) in the same directory as your main flask .py file. Then at the top of your main flask file, you can do import helpers which will let you access any function in helpers by adding helpers. before it (for example helpers.exampleFunction()). Or you can do from helpers import exampleFunction and use exampleFunction() directly in your code. Or from helpers import * to import and use all the functions directly in your code.

Answer 2

Just import your file as usual and use functions from it:

# foo.py

def bar():
    return 'hey everyone!'

And in the main file:

# main.py
from flask import render_template
from app import app
from foo import bar

def getRankingList():
    return 'hey everyone!'


@app.route("/")
@app.route("/index")
def index():
    rankingsList = getRankingsList()
    baz = bar()  # Function from your foo.py
    return render_template('index.html', rankingsList=rankingsList)

if __name__ == '__main__':
    app.run(debug=True)